Watch This Before You Silicone Your Shower (9 Pro Tips You Can't Miss), by DIY For Beginners on YouTube. 11 min 6 s.
- Video length
- 11 min 6 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Scrape out all the old silicone with a remover tool or sharp scraper. Work along the joint and pull the strips out in one piece where you can.
Clean the joint with trade wipes or a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Remove every trace of old sealant, soap scum and grease.
Let the joint dry completely. Silicone will not stick to a damp surface, so give it at least an hour or dry it with a hairdryer on cool.
Run a strip of masking tape along both sides of the joint. This gives you straight edges and keeps the mess off the tiles and tray.
Cut the nozzle at a 45 degree angle to a width just wider than the gap. Load the tube into the gun and pierce the seal.
Push the bead along the joint at a steady speed, keeping the nozzle tip in contact with the surface. Fill the gap fully without leaving voids.
Smooth the bead straight away with a silicone tool or a wet finger. Wipe the tool clean between passes so the edges stay sharp.
Peel the masking tape off while the silicone is still wet. Pull it back at a low angle so the edge does not lift.
Leave the silicone to cure for the time on the tube, usually 24 hours. Keep the area dry and do not run the shower until it has fully set.
Tips and common mistakes
Buy mould-resistant bathroom silicone, not general purpose sealant, or the joint will go black within months.
Do not smooth with a dry finger or spit, as this drags the bead and leaves ridges.
Fill the bath with water before sealing if the bath flexes, so the bead sets at the weight it will carry.
If a bead goes wrong, pull it out while wet and start again rather than trying to patch it.
Questions
How long before I can use the shower?
Wait for the full cure time printed on the tube, usually around 24 hours. Running water early stops the seal forming properly.
Can I silicone over old sealant?
No. New silicone will not bond to old, and the joint will peel. Strip it all out and clean the surface first.
Why does my silicone go mouldy so fast?
Usually because the joint stayed damp or a cheap sealant was used. Dry the bathroom after showers and choose a mould-resistant bathroom silicone.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
